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What is the Ombudsman?
The Ombudsman of the Republic of Latvia is elected by the Parliament.
The Ombudsman is the official in charge of protection of the rights of each and every inhabitant of Latvia.
The Ombudsman fosters legitimate actions on part of the State.
It means he/she keeps trace of compliance with the law by Governmental and municipal institutions.
Governmental and municipal institutions are, for example, ministries, state agencies, and foundations.
The Ombudsman is only subordinate to the law.
No one may intervene in the actions of the Ombudsman.
Also Governmental or municipal institutions cannot intervene in Ombudsman’s work.
Who can become the Ombudsman?
The Ombudsman must be a citizen of Latvia.
He/she may not be under 30 years of age, and he/she may have no previous convictions.
The candidate to the Ombudsman’s post must have a university degree.
He/she must have knowledge and experience in protection of rights.
The Ombudsman is elected by the Parliament for the period of five years.
On 1 March 2007, the Saeima elected Romāns Apsītis as the first Ombudsman of the Republic of Latvia.
On 3 March 2011, the Saeima elected Juris Jansons as the Ombudsman.
On 3 March 3 2016, Juris Jansons was re-elected as the Ombudsman.
On 11 March 2021, the Saeima approved Juris Jansons as the Ombudsman for another term.
On 19 June 2025, the Saeima voted to dismiss Juris Jansons from the position of the Ombudsman.